Hoof-pad.



Patented Feb. 4, I902.

2 Sheets-Sheet HOOF PAD.

(Application filed June 26, 1901.)

W. J. KENT.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

' By Attorneys,

Patented. Feb. 4, 202;

W. J. KENT.

H.00F PAD.

(Application filed June 26, 1901.)

2 SheetsSheat 2.

(No Model.)

ml ummwu- Illllllllll IH I HIM WITNESSES: I Q By Attorneys,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. KENT, OF BROOKLYN, NEWV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO REVERE RUBBERCOMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

HOOF-PAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 692,305, datedFebruary 4, 1902 Application filed June 26, 1901. Serial No. 66,075. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

'Be it known that 1, WILLIAM J. KENT, a citizen of the United States,residing in Brooklyn, county 'of Kings, city and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Hoof-Pads, of which thefollowing is a specification.

In order to reduce the shock incident to the impact of the usual steelshoe with the roadway, it is customary to provide a pad of elasticconstruction, and thus protect the hoofs of horses. These pads are madein various shapes and structures. Nearly all of them, however, comprisea rubber or other cushionlike member which is attached by fastening aportion of it between the shoe and the hoof, the cushioning portionbeing projected outward beyond the outer face of the steel shoe, so asto receive the first shock of the blow produced by the striking of thehorses hoof on the pavement. Ordinarily the steel shoe comprises only aportion fitting the toe and short portions extending along each of thesides of the hoof, the heel being omitted. This is the ordinarythree-quarters shoe and is specially adapted for use with thecushioning-pads now in use. The heel portion of the shoe is replaced bya projecting portion of the cushioning member, which as usuallyconstructed extends across the rear of the hoof, constituting a singleheel-cushion of the full width of the hoof at the rear, or in someexisting constructions the pad is formed with a pair of individualheel-cushions with an open space between them.

My present invention aims to provide certain improvements in hoofpads,and especially in hoof-pads of the general character indicated, wherebythe pad prevents the spreading of the heel portions of the hoof, whichis a serious defect in some of the existing forms, and whereby the padat the same time transmits pressure chiefly to the portions best able toreceive the pressure, and thereby avoids damage to the tender parts ofthe hoof.

My invent-ion aims also to provide an improved hoof-pad having variousother features of advantage, which will be referred to in detailhereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, representing certain embodiments of myinvention, Figure l is an under side plan view of a pad embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a centrallongitudinal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transversesection on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a rear end elevation. Fig.6 is a transverse section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an underside plan View of another embodiment. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of thesame. Fig. 9 is a central longitudinal section on the line 9 9 of Fig.7. Fig. 10 is a rear end elevation of Fig. 7. Fig. 11 is an undersideplan view of the heel portion of a third embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, the pad is shown as comprising abearing-strip A, which is adapted to be fastened directly against theupper side of ashoe when in use and extending across the toe and asufficientdistance along the sides of the hoof to receive the entireshoe. The material of this bearing-strip is commonly a layer B oftextile material and a superposed layer 0 of rubber vulcanized or.

otherwise fastened thereto.

D represents as a whole a cushioning member comprising a portion E,extending along the toe and'sides, along the inner edge of thebearing-strip A, and of a height to project slightly beyond the face ofthe shoe when in position on the bearing-strip. The cushioning membermay include also individual projections F, which are separate from eachother and form heel-cushions, being of somewhat greater depth than thetoe and side portions E, since they receive the first and principalshock. This cushioning member D is ordinarily united to thebearing-strip A, as by being made integral with the rubber layer 0thereof. To procure the necessary strength and stiffness, or the like,is usually provided atthe back of the bearing-strip and attached theretoby stitching, cementing, or otherwise. This reinforce ordinarily extendsalong the back of the bearing-strip and heel-cushions.

The features thus far described are found in types of pad now on themarket, and it is in connection with such a type of pad that I areinforce G, of heavy leather will describe my improvements; but it willbe understood that my improvements are in general applicable to variousother types than the particular one here described.

According to the preferred form of my present improvements I provideseveral features having important advantages over prior constructions.In previously-constructed pads it has been common either to extend theheelcushions entirely across the rear portion of the hoof, therebycausing the same shock to the sensitive frog of the hoof as to thestronger heels, or, in order to save the frog, individual heel-cushionshave been made without any connection between them. The latterconstruction, however, is faulty in that under a heavy pressure theindividual heeleushions,being without any connection, tend to spreadapart, and thus again injure the hoof. In my improved pad both thesedifficulties are overcome by providing individual heel-cushions anduniting them firmly to each other by means of strengthening-strips whichare preferably integral portions of the reinforce. The heels of the hoofare thus supported against spreading, while at the same time there is nopressure on the sensi tive frog. In order to prevent the heel-cushionsfrom spreading on the reinforce, I prefer also to extend a portion ofthe bearingstrip across between said heel-cushions, and I may evenfurther strengthen the construction by forming the cushioning memberwith a portion connecting the heel-cushions, but depressed between suchheel-cushions, so as not to receive the impact or at least not the fullforce of the impact. In order to stiffen the central portion of thepad,I may also con- ,struct the reinforce with a portion extendingacross between the side walls of the hoof. The reinforce is firmlyconnected with the bearing-strip and cushioning member by strong seamsand preferably also rivets at points of greatest strain.

By the construction explained I give the tread of the hoof a firm andthe frog a more yielding support. The portion of the pad lying under thetoe and side walls of the boot I call the body portion, and the portionextending across between the heel-cushions so as to prevent themspreading I call the connecting portion, whether it be made solely as apart of the reinforce or include a part of the reinforce and a part ofthe cushioning member.

In Figs. 1 to 6 a reinforce G is illustrated as being of the same shapeas the bearingstrip A, extending beyond the same by a slight margin Hall around, which makes it more convenient to manufacture and which inuse protects the edges of the bearingstrip to a considerable extent. Atthe rear end a strengthening-strip J, which is preferably an integralpart of the reinforce G, is provided, which connects the two heels, (andmay be slightly reduced in width toward the center, as shown,) thusholding the heel portions of the reinforce fixedly in position andpreventing any spreading strain on the heels of the hoof. Theheel-cushions are prevented from spreading on the reinforce byconnecting them directly, as by extending a portion K, Figs. 3 and G, ofthe bearing-strip across between the cushions or by extending also aportion L of the cushioning member across thesamespace. Theportion K ofthebearingstrip or the portions K of the bearing-strip and L of thecushioning member are firmly united along their entire length to theconmeeting-strip J of the reinforce by means of a seam M or a pair ofseams M and N at opposite edges. Preferably the seam N forms acontinuation of a similar seam O, uniting the inner edge of thecushioning member and bearing-strip to the inner edge of the reinforce.Preferably also an additional seam P unites the bearing-strip along thetoe and side walls of the cushioning member with the correspondingportion of the reinforce. By arranging the seams as shown the parts areunited at substantially all points, so that there is no movement of onepart on the other and lateral stiffness of the Whole is secured to agreat extent without affecting the yielding quality of the cushioningmember under the action of a vertical pressure. For preventing anyseparation of the parts at points between the seams I. may provide alsoa countersunk rivet Q, connecting the portions which extend acrossbetween the heel-cushions and connecting also the heel-cushions and thetoe and side walls of the cushioning member with the reinforce. It willbe noted that the rivets in the cushioning member are so deeplycountersunk that they cannot possibly come into contact with thepavement, and therefore cannot be forced up to injure the hoof, and thatthe rivet which connects the central portions of the strengtheningmembers J K L is in a position which cannot come into contact with thepavement, being between the two projecting heel-cushions.

In addition to the strengthening-strip J of the reinforce I may provideit with a strengthening portion R, Figs. 7 to 10, extending acrossbetween the side walls, so as to give the intermediate portion of thepad greater stiffness. I may, in fact, make the portion R cover thecentral opening of the cushioning member and bearing-strip entirely, sothat the reinforce G becomes a continuous unapertured plate, therebyprotecting the interior of the hoof against direct contact with stonesor other substances which might enter the hoof if the shoe were leftopen and cause injury either by their forcible impact against thedelicate structure of the hoof or by their lodging therein, and bycontinued impact against the road wedging apart the walls of thecoffin-joint. In all other respects the construction in these figures issubstantiallyidentical with that in Figs. 1 to 6.

It is not essential that the bearing-strip A and cushioning member D oreither of them shall extend across the space between the heel-cushions.I may, as in Fig. 11, rely entirely on the connecting-strip J of thereinforce for giving the necessary stifiness at the heel. In thisconstruction the intermediate connecting portion B may be provided, asshown, or may be omitted, leaving a central opening, as in Fig. 1.

Various other modifications of my invention will occur to those skilledin the art. It will be understood, therefore, that myinvention is notlimited to the specific embodiments described by way of example, butthat it includes all pads in which substantially the same principle ormode of operation is accomplished by equivalent means.

In use my improved pad is placed between the hoof and the shoe, thelatter being nailed in the usual manner through the bearing-strip andthe reinforce. The shock of impact is taken up first by theheel-cushions F and then by the toe of the portion E of the cushioningmember, any tendency of the heels of the hoof to spread when thepressure comes on them being prevented by the strengthening-strip J andany tendency of the heelcushions themselves to spread being sufficientlyneutralized by the portions K and L of the bearing-strip and cushioningmember, which connect the heel-cushions directly with each other. Wherethe construction of Fig. 7 is employed, the intermediate strengtheningportion R will hold the central part of the hoof against any spreadingtendency and will also protect the hollow of the hoof from contact withstones or the like.

The projecting portion E of the pad has principally two functions,itstoe portion forming a tread to yieldingly receive the impact after theprincipal shock has been taken up by the heel-cushions, while its sideportions constitute chiefly stifiening members for strengthening the padand bracing the individual heel-cushions which project beyond thethree-quarter shoe, which alone. fastens the pad to the hoof, so thatthese heel portions would yield or bend toward and from the hoof if notsuitably stiffened or braced; but it is understood that other means forperforming this latter function might be substituted.

What I claim is 1. A hoof-pad comprising a body portion adapted to fitthe toe and sides of the hoof, projections connected to said bodyportion and forming individual heel-cushions, and a connecting portionconnecting said cushions at the heel of the pad and having a continuousrecess on the under side, whereby the tread of the hoofis given a firm,and the frog a more yielding, support.

2. A hoof-pad comprising a body portion adapted to fit the toe and sidesof the hoof, projections connected to said body portion and formingindividual heel-cushions, and a connecting portion connecting saidcushions at the heel of the pad and having a continuous recess on theunder side, whereby the tread of the hoof is given a firm, and the froga more yielding, support, said body portion being composed of abearing-strip of cushioning material and a reinforce secured to the backof said bearing-strip.

3. A hoof-pad comprising a body portion adapted to fit the toe and sidesof the hoof, and projections connected to said body portion and formingindividual heel-cushions, said body portion being composed of abearing-strip of cushioning material and a reinforce secured to the backof said bearingstrip, and said reinforce havinga connecting portionJconnecting said cushions at the heel of the pad so as to leave acontinuous recess on the under side, whereby the tread of the hoof isgiven a firm, and the frog a more yielding, support.

4. A hoof-pad comprising a body portion adapted to fit the toe and sidesof the hoof, and projections connected to said body portion and formingindividual heel-cushions, said body portion being composed of abearing-strip of cushioning material and a reinforce secured to the backof said bearingstrip, and said reinforce having a connecting portion Jconnecting said cushions at the heel of the pad so as to leave acontinuous recess on the under side, and having a portion R extendingacross between the sides of said body portion.

5. A hoof-pad comprising a body portion adapted to fit the toe and sidesof the hoof, projections connected to said body portion and formingindividual heel-cushions, and a connecting portion connecting saidcushions at the heel of the pad and having a continuous recess on theunder side, whereby the tread of the hoof is given a firm, and the froga more yielding, support, said pad being composed of a cushioning membercomprising a,

layer of textile material and a layer of rubher, and of a reinforcingmember of leather secured to the back of said cushioning memher.

6. A hoof-pad comprising a body portion adapted to fit the toe and sidesof the hoof, projections connected to said body portion and formingindividual heel-cushions, and a connecting portion connecting saidcushions at the heel of the pad and having a continuous recess on theunder side, whereby the tread of the hoof is given a firm, and the froga more yielding, support, said body portion being composed of acushioning member comprising a layer of textile material and a layer ofrubber, and of a reinforcing member of leather secured to the back ofsaid cushioning member.

7. A hoof-pad comprising a body portion adapted to fit the toe and sidesof the hoof, and projections connected to said body portion and formingindividual heel-cushions, said body portion being composed of abearing-strip of cushioning material comprising a layer of textilematerial and a layer of rubher, and a reinforce of leather secured tothe back of said bearing-strip, and said reinforce havinga connectingportion J connecting said cushions at the heel of the pad so as to leavea continuous recess on the under side, whereby the tread of the hoof isgiven a firm, and the frog a more yielding, support.

8. A hoof-pad comprising a body portion adapted to fit between the shoeand hoof, having a projecting portion within the contour of the shoe atthe toe thereof and having projections at the heel in rear of the shoeforming individual heel-cushions, and a connecting portion connectingsaid cushions at the heel of the pad and having a continuous recess onthe under side, whereby the tread of the hoof is given a firm, and thefrog a more yielding, support.

9. A hoof-pad comprising a body portion adapted to fit between the shoeand hoof, having a projecting portion extending Within and conforming tothe contour of the shoe at the toe and sides thereof and havingprojections at the heel in rear of the shoe forming individualheel-cushions connecting with the side portions of said projectionwhereby the latter braces the heel-cushions, and a con necting portionconnecting said cushions at the heel of the pad and having a continuousrecess on the under side, whereby the tread of the hoof is given a firm,and the frog a more yielding, support.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM J. KENT.

Witnesses:

THOMAS F. WALLACE, FRED WHITE.

